This is about EG..sorta

Ok EG peeps, no matter the post by any of us bloggers there is always a comment along the lines of “what does this have to do with EG”? One post I had written asking for suggestions on what to do around town and ideas for fun activities for kids had about 5 comments. So, I write about EG and no one has suggestions or ideas or is it just that there is nothing to do here? Then a non-EG related post is written and many people comment. I’ll be honest that it is hard to constantly think of things to write about that always relate to EG (I’m sure someone out there will be saying, then why do you do this)… and the answer is for fun. To try to make people laugh, think, hear someone elses opinion and form their own on a wide range of subjects.

Soooooo I’m opening up to you and going to ask. What do you want to know? What do you want us to talk about? What do you come on here looking to find? Do you want us bloggers to get out and do some investigative work around town…dig into deep stories or discuss the lighter side? Tell us what you would like to read about. Keep in mind I’m not talking about us writing a news story, after all writing a blog is about that individuals opinion of a topic or story. Also, as a side note under the EG section of this, it actually says Rensselaer County…so included is North Greenbush, Schodack etc….so feel free to include those areas too.

I want you to be Jim L., and really stir up the shit like only he could………..LOL

Just kidding talk about whatever you want you are the host, so cares what other people think. Maybe you could hit on some topics like how the town is losing business on 9/20, or maybe talk about things that we could do in town with our kids, like maybe building a skate board park. Maybe you could talk about how shopping at Walmart sucks because its always so crowded. Or maybe you could talk about what you want to talk about, and the hell with everyone else.

I think it’s kind of funny that there are no comments…just sayin’! Write what you like. Obviously the folks who complain about your posts not being “East Greenbush related” do not care to be part of the solution of their perceived problem.

Dana – Keep writing about what you want! You have people reading your posts, so I wouldn’t worry about it. We all cover a niche – you do more life in general type posts, Tony does humerous posts and I do more informational type posts. Even if you write about East Greenbush, you will have someone who complains about something. That’s just how it is. I Think people are just missing someone who is controversial or likes to bring up controversial subjects to get a good rip roaring debate going, like Jim or Dwight. I don’t want to be under attack, lol, so I try to avoid doing that. I have tried to get an idea of what people would like us to cover before as well, but I think maybe people really don’t know until they see it.

I’m alive. I’m enjoying retirement on my cushy TU Blogger pension. Jim C, as for suggesting someone else be me, I don’t recommend it. The job is filled. I was elected to ME in a close race and I am not up for re-election until 2012.

People ask me all the time why I left the TU blog, so I will explain:

After a few months of posting under my full name, I changed all my postings to “Jim L”. Months later, the TU informed me that if I didn’t use my full name I could no longer write blogs. That was their policy and it didn’t work for me. Why? Very simply, for business reasons. In my business(es), new potential clients sometimes “Google” my name to validate my credentials and background and things I’ve published. Google it to see. What comes up on the first page of Google or Yahoo or Bing is important to my business, and the good spots started to be taken over by my writings on EG blight, traffic, FedEx and pizza. Nothing I was ashamed to attach my name to, but I couldn’t have it edging out more important business entries. Using “Jim L” avoided those problems.

I do miss it though…and I am glad that I started something that became a resource for info and ideas in town. Maybe I’ll make some occasional comments.

As for Dana’s request? She’s giving you the green light for topics. If you don’t give her an idea of WHAT you want, then don’t complain if she doesn’t write about it. She’s a blogger not a mindreader. But I do agree that topics should be at least tangentially related to EG.

Dana, how about talking about the good things in EGB like the work that is being done to spruce up our parks? Talk about EGB citizens that are all around good neighbors and why. Talk about the people who volunteer and make EGB a better place to live. How about a question, “What would you do to make EGB a better place to live”. We have an American Legion Post next to K-Mart. Maybe those war heroes and others could share some of their war stories. How about a girl topic talking about fashion styles present and past. Another question, “what attracted you to move to EGB”? Hot topic, TAXES is a good one, everyone is concerned about being overtaxed. A local special election is coming up in Nov. for councilperson seats. Question, “Do you vote party lines or do you make an effort to know where the candidates stand on important issues concerning you”? Question, “Do you feel your vote will make a difference”. How about asking your viewers would they be interested in a Sam’s Club in our area? How about discussing would the residents of EGB like to see swimming return to the Town Park and Hampton Manor Park. Sorry Dana I have to stop now, these are just a few thoughts that popped into my head. Keep going girl.

Ct #8, I too would LOVE to see an Olive Garden come to EGB on Columbia Turnpike. It is a popular restaurant. A lot of people still go out to eat in spite of the economy. I would think that residents in the local communities surrounding EGB as well as the locals would love to have that restaurant chain come into town.

I have thought for some time that a lot of the chain restaurants would do really well over here. 9&20 has so much open space, and even if they knock down what’s there (old Weathervane), start from scratch. I would love an Olive Garden, Red Robin, Outback!! I could go on and on. Otherwise, I’m always up for another ice cream place 🙂

Dana, you’re going a great job, as are all the other EG bloggers. Just go ahead and write what you see/feel. The first robin of Spring, the traffic on Sherwood Ave/9&20/4&40/Stock Lane, etc. Your favorite stores, kids at the play ground, things that could replace Mickey D’s, a lovely summer day, is the noise ordinance working, a stroll down the street-thru the park- thru your favorite store, why you needed 30 people to change a light bulb, why you could change a light bulb in the blink of an eye that 30 people had been working on for 6 hours, you name it…anything that you’re comfortable writing about.

Just because people don’t comment, doesn’t mean they don’t read the post. Like you, I’m puzzled about the posts readers respond/don’t respond to.

Keep up the good work, ALL of you, Dana, Cindy, Tony, Amanda and the TU staff and interns. Because reading the EG blogsite, I get smiles and news, AND know more about the town than my relatives who don’t read it.

Hmmmmmm I’m new to the site but I did read about three months worth of posting and the one thing I notice about all of you is, you actually care about the town and what is happening (or not happening) in it. Of course there are differing opinions as to cause and effect but that is what makes large groups great problem solvers. That said, one of the things that has been the pebble in my shoe for awhile, is the amount of left over garage/lawn sale signs that permeate the main roads. I just looks sloppy and it causes those bargain hunters to come down into neighborhoods that have nothing going on. I don’t know if there is an ordinance against this or not but it sure would be nice if people cleaned up after themselves.

agree about the yard sale signs- remove them! was so happy when someone removed the bouncy rental signs from trees around Hamptom Lake. That was real trashy looking.Is there anything that can be done when residents put out bulk items for their garbage company- who will not haul it away? their is stuff for weeks roadside in the area. disgusting. We now have a mattress joining a beat up vehicle and recliner around the block, anothter house w/pile of green bags ( about amonth- 238?? Hampton Manor), another has a dresser or something (house next to the store), bed pieces etc. on Tampa. Seems so many people are really out and mowing, planting etc and then have these few eyesores – ONTO DIFFERENT TOPIC- anyone know what happened to some of the bricks that circulates the flagpole in the David O Park? real sad to see some missing, disrespectful to leave as is. Can the town repair this? Might need to remove one layer of the ring.

I have a question??? With the upcoming Special Election, I am sure, speaking of signs, is there something we can do about candidates signs going up everywhere you look????? I am not opposed to the signs but the amount of them is obscene. maybe designated areas would be a place to start. Your opponets only take them down after you go to the trouble of putting them up anyway. What do you think????

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